NEWS: Chrysler to Extend Production of Grand Caravan, Avenger

Chrysler may be extending production of existing models such as the Dodge Grand Caravan and Dodge Avenger, The Detroit News reports. As the company continues to plan the future of Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler, it appears fans of the current-generation Grand Caravan, Avenger, and Jeep Wrangler may have a bit more time to score a new model.

Production of the Dodge Grand Caravan will continue through late 2017, we hear. Previously, rumors suggested a Grand Caravan replacement would arrive in 2016, but the latest report says that project has been canceled. The Dodge Avenger may stay in production until the end of 2015 and the Jeep Wrangler until the middle of 2018, The Detroit News also claims. The next-generation Chrysler 200 sedan is still planned for a 2014-calendar-year debut. The Avenger was the best-selling Dodge for the first six months of 2013, with 61,018 units to the Chrysler 200 line's 75,015 cars sold during the same time.

As for Chrysler’s two minivans, the Dodge Grand Caravan is the more budget-focused variant, offering a cargo van bodystyle under the Ram brand as well as a base price in the low-$20,000 range with a standard V-6. Those seeking luxurious features might be better suited to the Town & Country, whose sales numbered just 93 units less than that of the Caravan through the first six months of the year.

While it’s looking like the Chrysler Town & Country might live to see a next-generation model as a traditional minivan, nothing has been officially announced just yet. One of Chrysler’s minivans could be repositioned into a slightly larger version of the Journey or long-gone Pacifica crossover. What do you think: Should Chrysler prepare a next-gen Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, or both?

Other manufacturers have quit the minivan segment altogether, but the 2013 dodge Grand Caravan is sticking around. According to Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, the Grand Caravan’s sibling, the Chrysler Town & Country, will eventually be replaced by a crossover.

For over fifty years, the Ford E-Series cargo van has been the answer for both commercial and personal drivers who need a reliable vehicle to get lots of cargo – and occasionally lots of passengers – from one place to the next.

Those who say Toyota doesn’t offer any exciting products might want to take a look at the 2013 Toyota Sienna. That’s right, a minivan. It has the distinction of being one of the most spirited vehicles in its segment.

The 2013 Ram Cargo Van has a long list of options, including a media center with a 6.5-inch touch-screen display, an audio jack input for mobile devices, a Garmin navigation system, a backup camera, a full-width cargo divider, and a rear-window wiper and washer.

January 31, 2013

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